Avid Power MCIW326 Impact Wrench Review

Another day, another tool to put through its paces! This time, I was loaned a demonstration model of the Avid Power MCIW326 driver by a nearby retailer. I wasn’t personally in need of an impact wrench at the time, but I’m always happy to put a power tool to the test.

I usually try to approach these things objectively and neutrally, but I was told by the guy who loaned it to me that it’s right up there. More specifically, he said what you get in terms of power and performance is so much more than you pay for it.

The Avid Power MCIW326 is seriously affordable – almost suspiciously cheap – but has nonetheless built a huge following on some of the web’s leading retail portals.

Hence, you could say I had reasonably high expectations from the start. The question being – would the Avid Power MCIW326 live up to the hype? For such a low price, can you really expect pro-grade performance from an impact wrench? This Avid Power MCIW326 review will give all the answers to your various questions.

Features of Avid MCIW326

It ships as part of an all-inclusive kit, which features pretty much everything you need to get up and to run. Included in the box, you’ll find the following hardware and accessories:

• 1 x Avid Power Cordless Impact Wrench
• 4x Driver Impact Sockets
• 1 x 1.5A Lithium-ion Battery Pack
• 1 x Charger
• 1 x Tool Bag
• 1 x User Manual

Again, the fact that the kit comes pre-loaded with everything needed to get started only adds to its value for money. As for the rest of the picture, the manufacturer touts the following as the kit’s most important features and selling-points:

Superior Power and Performance

The Avid MCIW326 is powered by a cutting-edge motor that’s capable of delivering 2035 in-lbs of max torque, along with an impressive 2,200 RPM.So, this makes it suitable for even the most demanding applications in heavy-duty environments.

Compact Size & Comfortable Grip

Surprisingly lightweight and easy to use, the Avid Power 20V MAX Cordless Impact Wrench weighs in at a slender 3.3lbs. It is also fitted with a comfortable anti-slip grip, making it great for dealing with trickier jobs in even the hardest working conditions.

Exceptional Flexibility and Versatility

The manufacturer claims that this high-performance device is a staple in countless body shops and engineering environments, where consistent power and performance are required for tackling difficult jobs.

Variable Speed & 3 Bright LED Lights

Speed control is simplified with a variable trigger, while the inclusion of three bright LEDs to the front makes it easier to work in dark and difficult areas.

Extensive Warranty

Along with a complete range of accessories, each Avid Cordless Impact Wrench MCIW326 also ships with an impressive two-year warranty from the manufacturer, alongside the assistance of a dedicated customer support team based in the United States.

Fast Charging & Long Battery Life

Along with impressive battery life for such a compact and lightweight tool, the Avid wrench MCIW326 also boasts a charging time of as little as 3 hours.

My Experience with Avid Power MCIW326

The first thing that struck me about the Avid Power MCIW326 Cordless Impact Wrench was how light it was. The weight of a power tool usually tells you something about its power and performance, so I wasn’t necessarily expecting this thing to blow me away. That said,

I did immediately appreciate the fact that the battery was removable, which provides the option of buying additional batteries, so you never run out of juice. I’m not exactly a professional mechanic, but I know my way around a fair few routine maintenance tasks.

Put to the test; this is a compact yet surprisingly capable impact wrench that handles even the trickiest lug nuts with zero hesitation. It’s easy to use, consistently powerful, and very comfortable to handle. Everything you need is already in the box, which makes it an outstanding purchase at its current price.

I’ve handled a few of these things before, but I don’t remember any that were as lightweight or easy to work with. Most buyer praises this impact wrench as an unbeatable buy for the money through their reviews.

Pros

• Supplied complete with all essential accessories
• Surprisingly powerful and versatile
• Very lightweight and easy to work
• Interchangeable battery with good runtime
• Bright LEDs for working in darker spaces
• Perfect for any DIY project
• Outstanding value for money

Cons

• Not powerful enough for heavier-duty applications

Final Thoughts

All in all, this thing left me in a rather awkward position, where I couldn’t really find anything negative to say about it. Even the bag it ships with is durable, convenient, and well put together! Of course, you could possibly argue that in a seriously heavy-duty industrial environment, it might not be as powerful as some of the leading corded impacts wrenches on the market. But at the same time, it’s also considerably cheaper.

Some have said that this Avid Power MCIW326 Impact Wrench is predominantly designed for DIY jobs and home toolboxes. Nevertheless, I reckon it has more than enough power and versatility to serve the needs of mechanics and engineers at most levels.

And again, you really need to think about how many tools you’re getting for your money. You could easily spend two or three times this amount on something higher-end, but the chances are that for most everyday jobs, you really don’t need to.

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